Elvis-loving Springfield elementary student took stage at 2022 Elvis week in Memphis

Arriving at home Friday for the start of the winter break, Springfield fourth-grader Jett Watts turned on his favorite Elvis Presley movie, "Blue Hawaii."

"I've seen it millions of times," Jett said, exaggerating slightly.

The Sequiota Elementary student explained, while wearing a necklace and shirt emblazoned with Elvis' lightning bolt "Taking Care of Business" logo, that the 1961 musical showcased both Elvis' incredible singing voice and his spot-on comedic timing.

"He is just really funny in this one," he said.

Jett, who turned 10 on Saturday, is a super fan of the American singer and actor. He can't remember a time when he wasn't listening to Elvis music, watching Elvis movies, or wearing Elvis-inspired clothes.

The Elvis fandom may be embedded in his DNA.

His grandfather, Springfield-based entertainer Louie Michael, met his wife while traveling and performing as an Elvis tribute artist. Their oldest daughter Ashley Watts — Jett's mom — sings and loves of vintage clothing, makeup and accessories.

Louie Michael loved to cradle Jett, his first grandchild, as a baby and sing Elvis' "Can't Help Falling In Love." Ashley also likely contributed by playing Elvis movies and music. "It happened organically."

The entire family traveled to Memphis, Tennessee in August 2022 for Elvis Week. Centered at Graceland, the packed event welcomed fans from across the globe to mark the 45th anniversary of Elvis' passing.

There were tours, shows highlighting musicians who played with Elvis, performances by tribute artists, gospel music and a candlelight vigil.

Jett said he loved the yellow and black "TV room" at Graceland and being inside the house where Elvis lived. "There was just a lot of joy in there."

He admitted Friday that he was in such awe of the mansion that he felt "blank-headed" at times. He stood near the graves on the grounds and grew somber.

"It was definitely sad, for sure," he said.

The family visited other key sites in Memphis including Beale Street and Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded early in his career.

As part of the Elvis Week activities, Louie Michael performed at Graceland and a Memphis restaurant. Ashley joined him for a duet. He also invited Jett — age 8, at the time — to the stage.

"He was mouthing every word to American Trilogy," his mom recalled. "Elvis has been one of his heroes since he was a kid."

Shy at first, Jett — dressed in black with shiny boots — sang along and showed off his favorite Elvis stage moves. "Jett really gets into it," Ashley said.

In a video shot by Ashley, Louie Michael paused before closing his set with the Elvis song "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" to talk about his grandson's love of Elvis. "He's immersed."

At one point in the video, Louie Michael wonders aloud if Jett might someday be an Elvis tribute artist.

In his bedroom Friday, while pulling Elvis shirts and stage jackets out of his closet, Jett said that is unlikely. Picking up his guitar, Jett started to strum chords.

"Playing (guitar) would be cool but singing is just not my thing," he said.

Over the years, Ashley had visited Graceland and attended Elvis Week. Jett's first time was in 2022.

"We've been lifelong Elvis fans and have gotten to be pretty close with Donna Presley, who is Elvis' first cousin. We were going up there with them," said Ashley, of the trip. "I wanted (Jett) to experience it because all his life he has loved Elvis."

One of Jett's favorite mementos from the Memphis trip was a replica of the leather-strap watch Elvis wore during his televised "Comeback Special" in 1968.

As much as Jett loves Elvis, he does listen to other music.

He listens to country music artist Luke Combs; rappers Eminem, Drake and 50 Cent; and older singers Howlin' Wolf, Paul Anka, Bobby Darin and Johnny Cash.

"Elvis is my favorite of all time," he said.

"In my opinion, he is the best singer that probably ever walked on this earth."

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Born more than three decades after Elvis died, Jett said he wished he could have met Elvis and told him a joke. "I'd probably say 'Can I get your autograph?'"

Jett said while he does not have a favorite Elvis song, a few at the top of the list include "I, John," "Hound Dog," and "Bosom of Abraham."

In general, he prefers early and fast Elvis songs over the ballads.

Ashley said she loves that her son is into music and that it is an interest shared by much of the family.

"He is an old soul. I was this way, too. I was always the kid dressing up in vintage clothes and liked Elvis and liked old things. I feel like it gives him a wider perspective and appreciation for things, for art, for music, for culture," Ashley said. "It sets him apart and expands his mind and makes him more open-minded and wanting to learn. It fuels his creativity."

Jett loves to go fishing and hunting, he plays baseball and other sports, loves free-style drawing and is a part of the Boy Scouts.

Asked if he's given any thought to career options, he pointed to jobs portrayed in the Five Nights at Freddy's video game series.

"So my jobs would probably a park ranger, a professional fisherman, an MLB player or an animatronics designer," he said.

Jett said he has talked about Elvis with his Sequiota music teacher, Laura Killingsworth, and other teachers have asked about his Elvis-themed shirts. He said the Elvis topic does not come up often with his friends.

"I don't really care," he said. "I would say to anyone, don't stop liking things because your friends or other people don't like it."

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Elvis-loving SPS elementary student part of 'Elvis Week' in Memphis